Free People Sells Loc Extensions

Cultural appropriation strikes again.

Let us share one simple truth with you: we do not enjoy writing about brands' blatant bouts of cultural insensitivity. But we're also not ignorant to just how long it takes an idea to come to fruition as an actual sellable product, so we can only assume that several levels of management looked over a design if it does indeed go to market. Case in point: Free People's dreadlock extensions.

There's absolutely no doubt that the hairstyle (often referred to as locs) is among the most beautiful on the planet. Different iterations are achieved due to varying widths, twisting that can result in almost a curl or wave pattern, and color can even be thrown into the mix. But if you've ever talked to anyone who has taken the time to grow locs, then you know it takes years and lots of care, which makes Free People's $128 extensions seem like a quick fix for a style that is a commitment for both cultural and religious reasons. Not to mention that no models of color were even called on to showcase the pieces.

Springtime Pink and Neutral Tie Dye are the two colors the brand is selling on their website in individual packs of 10. The extensions are crafted from brass, cotton, silk, and wool and have a small flower bead attached to each strand.

Locs trace back thousands of years, but are most often worn in modern times by those in different sects of Buddhism, African tribes like the Maasai and Turkana, and those who prescribe to Rastafari beliefs: the latter which gained a great deal of popularity in the '70s due to iconic singer and activist Bob Marley. The style has also become prevalent in African-American culture, worn by celebrities like Ava DuVernay and Whoopi Goldberg, football players like Larry Fitzgerald and Richard Sherman, and rappers like Waka Flocka Flame and Lil Wayne.

For all of the reasons above, it's simply not OK to peddle locs as a form of clip-in to be taken in and out at its wearer's leisure. And to state the obvious, the extensions also look a bit off. In order for locs to hold, the hair must seal and thus alter in texture. So wearing them alongside straight tresses just looks plain old bizarre.

This is the second time Free People has sold dreadlock extensions, so it's apparent that they didn't learn from their first mistake two years ago. We'd hope the brand would remove all traces of the product, but from one of the comments left on the product page, it seems as if they continuously sell out.